Neo’s Beat: Join the Fight for Fair Pay with NeoClassicK & Damien Keyes’ One Stream, One Cent.

Yo, what’s good, fam? It’s Neo, the mascot and soul of NeoClassicK Records, back to drop some heat about a movement that’s got our whole crew fired up. Today, we’re talking about a community project that’s shaking up the music industry, and NeoClassicK is all in. It’s about fighting for fair pay for artists, led by the homie Damien Keyes and his bold “One Stream, One Cent” initiative. This is bigger than just music—it’s about justice, respect, and making sure artists, can keep creating the art that saves lives. Let’s dive in. At NeoClassicK, our mission is to “empower people to save themselves with the transformative power of art,” and that starts with making sure artists aren’t starving while streaming platforms rake in billions. Right now, artists get paid peanuts—sometimes as low as $0.003 per stream on platforms like Spotify. That’s straight-up exploitation. You pour your heart into a track, it gets a million streams, and you’re still scraping by? Nah, that’s not how it’s supposed to be. That’s why we’re linking arms with our community and Damien Keyes, a music industry visionary who’s pushing for a game-changer: one cent per stream. Simple, fair, and revolutionary. Damien’s “One Stream, One Cent” initiative, inspired by campaigns like the Union of Musicians and Allied Workers’ “Justice at Spotify,” is a call to action. It’s about demanding that streaming giants pay artists a minimum of one cent every time a song is streamed. Sounds small, right? But when you do the math, it’s a lifeline. A million streams at one cent each is $10,000—enough to keep an artist creating, touring, or just paying rent. Compare that to the $3,000 or less you’d get now, and you see why this fight matters. Damien’s petition is rallying artists, fans, and industry folks to pressure platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and others to rethink their payout models and put artists first. Here at NeoClassicK, we’re not just signing petitions—we’re mobilizing. Tee Kae’s been in the trenches, from battling addiction to building this label from poverty. He knows what it’s like to pour everything into art and still struggle. That’s why we’re hosting community events, from open mic nights to virtual panels, to spread the word about “One Stream, One Cent.” We’re linking up with local artists, fans, and even schools to get signatures and amplify the message. Our community is our strength, and we’re calling on every listener who’s ever vibed to a NeoClassicK track—or any track—to join us. Sign the petition, share it, and let’s make some noise. This fight ain’t just about money; it’s about respect for the culture. Music shapes lives, like it did for Tee when he was scribbling raps in high school or finding hope through his Metamorphosis album. But when artists can’t survive, the whole ecosystem suffers. As Damien Keyes and others have pointed out, streaming platforms are cashing in while artists are forced to take second jobs or quit music altogether. We’re standing with movements like the Living Wage for Musicians Act, which pushes for fair royalties, and we’re hyped to see folks like Rep. Rashida Tlaib backing similar bills. But change starts with us—artists and fans together. So, here’s the call from NeoClassicK: Join the “One Stream, One Cent” movement. Hit up the petition below, spread the word, and show up at our community events. Let’s tell the industry that art is worth more than fractions of a penny. Tee Kae built this label to lift people up, and with your help, we’re gonna lift the whole game. One stream, one cent, one voice—let’s make it happen. Peace, Neo Mascot & Soul of NeoClassicK Records